KTM has finally launched its 250 Adventure motorcycle in India, and costs lesser than the 390 Adventure, at a price of ₹ 2.48 lakh. This more affordable version has been long overdue, and it can be all yours, if you’re looking for a long-distance tourer and some off-roading too.
Talk about kit
The KTM bikes features off-road ABS like the 390 Adventure and a new LCD instrument display. But it doesn’t get some goodies from its bigger sibling, like the cornering ABS, traction control system and the quickshifter. It even sports a halogen headlamp with LED DRLs, not a full LED setup. Wrapped around those large wheels is MRF Mogrip Meteor tyres. The 250 Adventure is sold in one dual colour theme at the moment: black and orange. It features dual-channel ABS which can be switched off for the rear wheel.
Motor power
The 250 Adventure is powered what also does duty in its street-naked sibling: the Duke 250. It employs a 248.8cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 29bhp at 9000rpm and 24Nm of torque at 7500rpm. The gearing is most likely to be similar to its naked sibling. This engine manages to make some impressive numbers as far as the performance is concerned.
The chassis
It gets a steel-trellis frame, subframe and alloy wheels also found on the 390, while the 63.5-degree steering head angle. Up-front, it boasts of 100/90-19 front and 130/80-17 rear tyres. The 250’s 43mm WP Apex fork isn’t adjustable, while the rear WP Apex monoshock comes with preload adjustment. It gets 170mm of suspension travel up-front and 177mm at the rear. Ground clearance, at 200mm, is great too.
Sharp looks
KTM’s 250 Adventure looks like carbon copy of its larger sibling and shares the same chassis and body panels with the 390 Adventure. A lot of other design elements, like the belly pan, tail section and radiator shroud remain untouched.
The ride
The suspension on the bike feels a bit too firm, while the rear is too stiff, particularly when riding over uneven terrain. Ground clearance is terrific, thanks to the tall springs, but rock-laden terrain can come in the way at times. In a straight line, the bike stays glued to the road; there isn’t too much of weight that is felt and corners with ease. Ride quality is on the soft side, and most of the broken patches don’t unsettle the bike. And tyres offer good levels of grip. You can also stand on the foot pegs while riding through sharp cuts in the road and some flooded areas as well. Also, read the latest bike comparisons, only at autoX.
